TQSIX vs. VSTCX
TQSIX (T. Rowe Price QM U.S. Small & Mid-Cap Core Equity Fund) and VSTCX (Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund) are both mutual funds - TQSIX is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund managed by T. Rowe Price, while VSTCX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, TQSIX returned 12.75%/yr vs 12.56%/yr for VSTCX. Their 0.97 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. TQSIX charges 0.68%/yr vs 0.21%/yr for VSTCX.
Performance
TQSIX vs. VSTCX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, TQSIX achieves a 18.73% return, which is significantly lower than VSTCX's 21.78% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with TQSIX having a 12.75% annualized return and VSTCX not far behind at 12.56%.
TQSIX
- 1D
- 1.18%
- 1M
- -0.50%
- 6M
- 12.97%
- YTD
- 18.73%
- 1Y
- 31.60%
- 3Y*
- 18.14%
- 5Y*
- 12.24%
- 10Y*
- 12.75%
- ALL TIME*
- 13.81%
VSTCX
- 1D
- 1.18%
- 1M
- -1.13%
- 6M
- 17.27%
- YTD
- 21.78%
- 1Y
- 42.42%
- 3Y*
- 19.74%
- 5Y*
- 12.93%
- 10Y*
- 12.56%
- ALL TIME*
- 9.46%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
TQSIX vs. VSTCX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TQSIX T. Rowe Price QM U.S. Small & Mid-Cap Core Equity Fund | 18.73% | 12.94% | 16.54% | 21.99% | -12.97% | 22.12% | 11.92% | 30.43% | -10.78% | 15.52% |
VSTCX Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund | 21.78% | 15.20% | 15.40% | 21.34% | -13.00% | 33.53% | 8.38% | 22.18% | -11.87% | 9.21% |
Correlation
The correlation between TQSIX and VSTCX is 0.94, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.94 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.95 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.97 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.97 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 29, 2016 | 0.97 |
The correlation between TQSIX and VSTCX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
TQSIX vs. VSTCX — Risk / Return Rank
TQSIX
VSTCX
TQSIX vs. VSTCX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price QM U.S. Small & Mid-Cap Core Equity Fund (TQSIX) and Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund (VSTCX). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| TQSIX | VSTCX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.50 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.66 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.30 | 1.37 | -0.08 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.76 | 4.76 | -2.00 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.95 | 16.72 | -5.77 |
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Drawdowns
TQSIX vs. VSTCX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum TQSIX drawdown since its inception was -40.65%, smaller than the maximum VSTCX drawdown of -62.50%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TQSIX and VSTCX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| TQSIX | VSTCX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -40.65% | -62.50% | +21.85% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -10.41% | -8.08% | -2.33% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -23.76% | -27.47% | +3.71% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -23.76% | -27.47% | +3.71% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -40.65% | -48.08% | +7.43% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.60% | -2.86% | +1.26% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.05% | -10.58% | +5.53% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.63% | 2.30% | +0.33% |
Volatility
TQSIX vs. VSTCX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for T. Rowe Price QM U.S. Small & Mid-Cap Core Equity Fund (TQSIX) is 3.60%, while Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund (VSTCX) has a volatility of 3.84%. This indicates that TQSIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VSTCX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| TQSIX | VSTCX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.60% | 3.84% | -0.24% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 13.58% | 12.46% | +1.12% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 17.16% | 17.64% | -0.48% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 19.60% | 21.88% | -2.28% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.34% | 23.42% | -3.08% |
TQSIX vs. VSTCX - Expense Ratio Comparison
TQSIX has a 0.68% expense ratio, which is higher than VSTCX's 0.21% expense ratio.
Dividends
TQSIX vs. VSTCX - Dividend Comparison
TQSIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.11%, less than VSTCX's 6.20% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TQSIX T. Rowe Price QM U.S. Small & Mid-Cap Core Equity Fund | 1.11% | 1.32% | 6.61% | 3.55% | 6.35% | 1.58% | 0.81% | 1.24% | 2.28% | 0.42% | 0.88% | 0.00% |
VSTCX Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund | 6.20% | 7.55% | 9.66% | 2.50% | 7.44% | 19.92% | 1.24% | 4.14% | 11.74% | 5.76% | 1.35% | 2.33% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.94, TQSIX and VSTCX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
VSTCX has higher volatility (3.84%) compared to TQSIX (3.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TQSIX dropped -40.65% vs VSTCX's -62.50%.
VSTCX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.18 vs 1.68), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
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